IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
RENEWAL FISHERY RESOURCE ABUNDANCE AND POVERTY ERADICATION FOR
COASTAL FISHERMEN IN THAILAND
Ruangrai Tokrisna, Kasetsart University, ruangrai.t@ku.ac.th
ABSTRACT
In spite of being one of the leading fish exporters, fishery resources in Thai waters had been degraded.
Increasing fuel cost reduced a number of commercial fishing vessels in Thai waters. While trawl was the
main fishing gear for commercial fisheries, their main catches were trash fish for fish meal. Suffering
from fishery resource degradation were coastal fishermen who accounted for 92% of total fishing
population while their catch contribution was around 6% in term of volume and 19% in term of value.
Limited access to alternative source of income among coastal fishermen in Thailand constrained mobility
from the fishing sector. Capacity reduction through buy back program for trawl and push net was
proposed. Nevertheless effort control capacity via monitoring, control and enforcement on fishing fleet
should be a priori. Fishery management regulation could be improved via collaboration among fishermen
through fishing associations as well as fishing community organizations and the government agencies.
Keywords: Thailand, fishery resources, poverty, small scale fisheries
FISHERIES IN THAI ECONOMY
Fisheries share in Thai GDP was 2% in 2003 or 15% of agricultural GDP accounting for US$2,701
million of which the majority i.e. US$2,385 million came from marine fisheries and the rest from inland
fisheries. In 2002 total production from marine fisheries, including coastal aquaculture (mainly shrimp),
was 3.3 million mt of which 47% were food fish followed by 21% trash fish, 13% mollusks,11% shrimp,
6% squid, 1% crab, and 1% others (mainly jelly fish). In term of value, the total production value in 2002
was US$2,987 million of which 55% were shrimp followed by 30% food fish, 9% squid, 2% crab, 2%
mollusks, and others. (Figure 1) More than half of marine fishery production came from shrimp which
was mainly cultured. One-quarter of the total production or 25% were consumed fresh, domestically. 23%
were frozen, mainly for export. 23% were trash fish for further processing as animal feed. 21% were
canned, both for domestic consumption and export. The rest were processed as dried/ salted/ smoked/
cured/ other processing. Thai marine production were domestically consumed as well as exported for
foreign exchange earning.
Mollusc
13%
Crab
2%
Others
Squid Crab 1%
1%
6%
Squid
Mollusc
9%
2%
Others
0%
Fish
30%
Fish
47%
Shrimp
11%
Trash fish
2%
Shrimp
55%
Trash fish
21%
(a) Total volume = 3.304 million mt
(b) Total value = US$2,987 million.
Figure 1 Volume and value share of Thai marine fishery production in 2002
Source: Calculated from the data reported by Department of Fisheries.
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
In 2004 export earning from fishery products accounted for US$4,288 million or 4% of total export
earning. Export earning from primary product was US$1,871 million or 2% of total Thai export earning
of which US$849 or 1% were from shrimp, followed by fish, squid, crustaceans, and other primary
fishery products in respective order. For processed products, export earning accounted for US$2,357
million or 2% of total export earning of this country; almost half from canning (mainly canned tuna) and
the rest from other processing (mainly further processing shrimp, dried/salt/smoked/cured).
In 2001, FAO fishery data revealed that Thai land was the 9th top producer in fisheries with a production
share of 3% while being 6th export with 4% share of the export volume in the world market, close to
Canada. Nevertheless in term of value Thai fishery exports shared only 1%, indicating low export price.
THAI FISHERY RESOURCES
Thai marine production reached a peak of 2.540 million mt in 1987 and declined until 1991 when
production picked up again, partly because of fishing outside Thai waters. Production fluctuated after
1991, increased to 3.573 million mt in 1995 then decreased; picked up again in 1998. In 2002, 70% of
fishery production came from marine fisheries. Increase in marine capture seemed difficult. Recent
increase was mainly from coastal aquaculture, mainly shrimp. Value of coastal aquaculture production
increased from US$23 million in 1981 to be US$1,471 million in 2002 while the share increased from 5%
in 1981 to 43% in 2002. Value of marine capture was 72% in 1981 and decreased to 44% in 2002.
4,000
4,500
3,500
4,000
3,000
3,500
2,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
2,000
1,500
1,500
1,000
1,000
500
500
0
1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001
Marine
Coastal aq.
Inland
0
1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001
Freshwater aq.
Marine
Coastal aq.
Inland
Freshwater aq.
(a) Volume (thousand mt)
(b) Value (US$ million)
Figure 2 Volume and value of Thai fishery production 1981 – 2002
Source: Calculated from the data reported by Department of Fisheries.
Thai fishermen adapted in response to technical development in fishing gears and fishery resource
condition. Before the introduction of otter board trawl in 1959 - 1961 most of marine captures were
pelagic fish. Indo-Pacific mackerel was the main economic fish. Through rapid development of trawls,
main catch composition switched to demersal species. In 1968 large trawler at a length of 25 m. up fished
outside Thai water. Small trawlers in Thai water turned to squid fishing. Marine capture increased rapidly
during the development of trawlers. Thailand was ranked as one of the top tenth fishing nation for the first
time in 1972, while there had been over fishing in demersal species in the Gulf of Thailand. Research
vessel from Department of Fisheries reported that catch per unit effort of trawling decreased from 298
kg/hr in 1961 to only 63 kg/hr in 1972 (Boonlerd Phasuk, 1987) and decreased further to 20 kg/hr in 1989
and 12 kg/hr recently.
To avoid the lower catch due to demersal resource degradation, Thai fishermen adapt trawlers to catch
Indo-Pacific mackerel. Catch from this type of fishing gear was small and decreased due to over fishing.
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
In response to high fuel cost in 1973 purse seine fishermen adopted fish attractive device and light luring
gears. Starting in 1979 – 1981, electronic devices in search for fish school were employed. Instead of
Indo-Pacific mackerel and sardines which were small pelagic, fishermen shifted to fish for tuna and went
fishing outside Thai waters.
In 1979 – 1981, due to EEZ a number of Thai vessels were forced back to fish in Thai EEZ. Catches
decreased in this period but picked up quickly after 1981, partly due to fishing outside Thai waters. It had
been estimated that there were almost 3,900 Thai vessels fishing outside Thai waters (Wicharn
Sirichaiekawat, 1986).
Table 1 showed catch composition in 1982, 1992 and 2002. In 1982, 41% of the catches were trash fish
which reduced to 34% in 1992 and further decreased to 21% in 2002.
In 1982, trawlers were the main fishing gear which mainly caught trash fish. Fine mesh size and over
fishing degraded demersal resources. Most trawl catches were small and of low quality not suitable for
human consumption. They were used as raw material for animal feed production. Higher cost and lower
catch values led to fishing loss. Trawl fishermen, especially small trawlers had to quit trawling, switching
to other fishing gears. A number of them turned to anchovy fishing.
Table 1 Catch composition of Thai marine captures in 1982, 1992 and 2002 (th.mt, %)
1982
1992
2002
Catches
Volume
%
Volume
%
Volume
%
Pelagic fish
396
841
833
20
28
25
Demersal fish
99
223
509
5
7
15
Food fish
85
165
241
4
6
7
Trash fish
813
1,001
697
41
34
21
Squid
117
150
185
6
5
6
Shrimp
189
302
351
9
10
11
Crab
30
45
42
2
2
1
Mollusk
157
135
417
8
5
13
Other
102
103
29
5
3
1
Total
1,987
100
2,966
100
3,304
100
Source: Calculated from the data reported by Department of Fisheries.
In 1992, share of pelagic fish was still second to trash fish but increased to 28%. The increase was due to
development in anchovy fishery which used fine mesh size and light luring, leading to conflict with
coastal fisheries. Anchovy fishery was complaint to be destructive gear using fine mesh size by-catching
juvenile economic species, thus degraded fishery resources (Details in Ruangrai Tokrisna, 2000).
In 2002, share of pelagic fish was the highest (25%), followed by trash fish (21%) while demersal share
increased to 15%. Small otter board trawlers (less than 14 m. long) lost due to lower catches, higher cost,
and low price. These fishermen switched to beam trawl. Beam trawlers could catch better quality
demersal species, mainly shrimp, thus received better price and return.
Shrimp shared around 10% of total catches.
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
Thai fisheries had been over fished since 1977. Overall, total catches slightly increased due to fisherman
adaptability both in fishing gears and fishing species. Part of the increase was from outside Thai waters.
Decreasing catch per unit effort was the evidence of over fishing.
From Table 2 maximum sustainable yield of pelagic fish in the Gulf of Thailand was estimated to be 0.4
million mt, had been over fished before 1977. Indo-Pacific mackerel was over fished both in the Gulf of
Thailand and Andaman Sea. Closing area and closing season during the spawning period in spawning
ground was implemented. Catches were not much decreased as resulted by such measures which were
annually regulated. Demersal fish and squid were over fished.
Table 2 Maximum sustainable yields in Thai fishing grounds and marine catches in 2002 (th. mt)
Gulf of Thailand
Item
Andaman Sea
Total
Source
MSY
Catch
MSY
Catch
MSY
Catch
Pelagic fish
400
646
50
187
450
833
Indo-Pacific mackerel
>62
116
20
31
>82
146
Division of Marine Fisheries (1984)
Scad
110
71
5
33
115
104
Boonlerd Phasuk (1987)
Indian mackerel
32
17
na
16
na
33
Division of Marine Fisheries (1984)
Tuna
>25
105
5
9
>30
114
Division of Marine Fisheries (1984)
Trevellies
na
39
na
9
>50
48
Boonlerd Phasuk (1987)
Sardinellas
150
108
13
21
163
129
Demersal fish
750
924
200
488
950
1,412
Somsak Jullasorn (1981)
Muntana Boonyubol and Somsak
Pramokchutima (1982)
Squid
41
70
na
19
na
90
Boonlerd Phasuk (1982)
Mala Supongpun (1964)
FISHERY POLICIES
During the First National Plan (1962 – 1966) fishery policies put the emphases on stock enhancement to
increase fishing income. Brackish water culture was promoted lately in this plan, as well as development
of trawlers. Fishery production was targeted to increase 7.5% annually during this period.
In the Second Plan (1967 – 1971), most of the fisheries were still coastal fisheries. Thai fishermen were
less capable in deep sea fisheries. The government put the importance on fishery export. Coastal
aquaculture was promoted. Marine Fishery Center was established. Fishery production was targeted to
increase 16.6% a year.
The Third Plan (1972 – 1976) was the first one to introduce concept on natural resource conservation for
the future utilization. Demersal fishery resources were degraded. Targeted marine capture growth rate
was decreased to 11.3%. Coastal land development for shrimp farming was undertaken in order to
increase culture production, mainly for export.
In the Fourth Plan (1977 – 1981), there was over fishing in the Gulf of Thailand. Due to resource
degradation thus low fishing returns, some fishermen with larger vessels went fishing outside Thai
waters. Due to the EEZ, government attempted to offset the decrease in fishing grounds via coastal
aquaculture development and joint venture fishing in neighboring countries. Mangrove rehabilitation was
introduced to maintain coastal abundance.
In the Fifth Plan (1982 – 1991), the emphases were on joint venture fishing, promotion on shrimp culture,
and mangrove rehabilitation for coastal abundance.
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
In the Sixth Plan (1987 – 1991) five measures were introduced in order to renewal fishery abundance in
Thai waters: amendment on fishery laws, good governance in fishery resource utilization, enhancing
capacity on fishery control and raw materials for processing, , stock enhancement, and renewal fish
sanctuaries. Joint venture fishing was continued in this Plan.
In the Seventh Plan (1992 – 1996) attempts were on integrating fish processing industry and
environmental friendly coastal aquaculture development, including water quality control. For marine
fisheries, the policies were to control number of fishing vessels coral reef conservation in marine national
parks, and local fishery management plan.
In the Eighth Plan (1997 - 2001) focus was still on enhancing fishery export capacity. Nevertheless
importance was given on sustainable development. Thai Sea Rehabilitation Office was established.
In the Ninth Plan (2002 – 2006) emphases were on Thai Sea rehabilitation and integrated natural resource
management.
Recently National Fishery Development Plan in Thai fishing grounds consists of three parts: fishery
resources management, renewal fishery abundance, and fishery occupation development. Fishery
management plan attempted on: effort control via controlling number of fishing vessels which has not
been successful, gear restriction, season and area closure, community based fishery management, and
strengthening local capacity in fishery resource management. Renewal fishery resources include
environmental control with the emphasis on water quality control, renewal fishing grounds, and stock
enhancement. Fishery occupation development was targeted on human resource development for Thai
fishermen concerning increasing their efficiency and collective organization.
THE PROBLEMS
Five main problems in Thai marine fishery are as followed:
1. Fishery resource degradation
2. Fishing vessel control
3. Illegal and destructive fishing
4. Conflicts between commercial and small scale fisheries
5. High cost of fishing.
Fishery resource degradation
Boonlerd Phasuk (1987) reported that trawls had been over fishing since 1973. Over all fishery resource
in the Gulf of Thailand had been degraded evidently from the decreasing CPUE since 1977. Commercial
scale Thai fishermen adapted by fishing outside Thai waters. Most of trawlers fishing in Thai Sea were
small vessels of less than 18 m. long. Some decided to quit fishing for other higher income occupation,
selling their vessels to fish workers who had less alternative non-fishing occupations. Number of fishing
vessel had not been reduced. New vessels constructed during this period were large ones fishing outside
Thai waters. Part of the trawlers moved from the Gulf of Thailand to fish in Andaman Sea. Some adjusted
their vessels to catch shallow than demersal or switched to anchovy fishing which had a strong demand
from importers, mainly Japan and Malaysia. Cost of fishing increased as resulted by resource degradation.
Fishing is no longer a high income earning occupation.
Fishing vessel control
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
Division of Marine Fisheries in Department of Fisheries realized the excess capacity in marine fisheries
since 1973 and proposed that number of fishing effort should be reduced to about half of 1981. In 1982,
Department of Fisheries announced registration for those non-registered vessels, in order to control the
number of fishing vessels. Fine was waived in return for the registration which resulted to increasing
number of reported registered trawlers. Of the estimated over ten thousand existing trawlers, 10,047
registered. Still there were illegal, non-registered trawlers. Attempt on control the number of vessels was
not successful. In 1984, number of registered trawlers reduced to reduced to 9,101. Nevertheless in the
following two years number of newly constructed vessels was estimated to be over 800. Beside trawlers
there were also 1,227 purse seiners. (Boonlerd Phasuk, 1987).
In 1989 government measure was to freeze number of trawlers and push netters, not allowing new
construction. Number of registered trawlers reduced to 9,086. The number of registered push netters
reduced from 1,907 in 1989 to 808 in 1993 then increased to 6,198 in 1995 and decreased to 5,163 in
2000. Due to fishery resource degradation in Thai waters, number of trawlers and push netters reduced.
Marine Fishery Census reported the number of fishing vessels in Thailand was 53,457 in 1985 and
increased to 58,119 in 2000. Actually number of in-board engine vessels decreased from 16,982 in 1985
to 13,263 in 2000. The increase was from outboard engine and non-motorized vessels, increased from
36,475 in 1985 to 44,856 in 2000.
Number of registered fishing vessel as reported by Department of Fisheries was 18,146 in 2000. The
number of unregistered vessels makes it difficult in controlling the fishing effort. Capacity reduction can
not be successful without effective control on number of fishing vessels. Control on number of fishing
vessels had never been effective in Thailand. Nevertheless due to fishery resource degradation, thus high
cost of fishing, large vessel went fishing outside Thai waters while some adapted their gears turning to
pelagic fishing. Number of trawlers in Thai waters, especially those otter board trawlers, decreased.
Illegal and destructive fishing
Important regulations were area and season closures during Indo-Pacific mackerel spawning season,
restriction on light luring purse seine, trawl and push net ban within 3 km from shoreline and selected
spawning grounds, mesh size control, ban on bamboo stake trap, restriction on crab fishing, and
restriction on clam dredging. Limited personnel and limited budget allocation resulted in ineffective
monitoring and control over more than two thousand km long coastlines.
Conflicts between commercial and small scale fisheries
As defined by Marine Fishery Census, commercial fisheries included those with in board engine of at
least 10 mt gross and small scale fisheries were those using less than 10 mt gross engine, out board
engine, and non-motorized. 92% of the fishing households were small scale, only 8% were commercial
scale. The ratio of small scale fishing vessels had been increasing, especially those outboard engine in
coastal fisheries. Main fishing gear for commercial fisheries were trawls, especially otter board trawls
while those small scale main fishing gears were drift gill nets. In spite of large number of fishing
households, production from small scale fisheries accounted for only 6% of the total main capture in term
of volume. Nevertheless since small scale catches were of better quality, the value share was 19%.
A number of Thai fishing vessels, mostly trawls were forced back in Thai waters due to neighbouring
country EEZs. The over capacity in trawls has led to demersal resources degradation in the Gulf of
Thailand. There have been conflicts between drift gill net and trawls as well as push net. Less abundant
fishery resources drove a number of trawlers out of fishing. Some of them switched to purse seines.
Number of drift gill net, targeted for pelagic species, increased. The introduction of light luring anchovy
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
purse seines was blamed as a destructive gear catching juvenile economic species. Clam dredging along
the coastlines had conflict with coastal small scale fisheries.
Fishing grounds for small scale fisheries are limited since they cannot fish far from the shore. Resource
degradation in Thai waters had an unavoidable impact on small scale fisheries while those commercial
scale have the alternatives of fishing far away outside Thai waters or leaving fishing for a better income
earning non-fishing occupations. Low income earning and lack of skill constrained the ability in leaving
fishing for non-fishing occupations, among small scale fisheries.
High cost of fishing
Fuel cost was the main fishing cost. Recently half of the total fishing coat is the fuel cost. It is even higher
in some groups of vessels. Net fishing income has been decreasing, mostly in trawls and push net. Small
vessels fishing in the Gulf of Thailand usually lost. Beside fuel cost, labour cost is another problem. It is
difficult to hire Thai fish workers. Most of them were alien workers from neighbouring countries. 15% of
the fishing costs are labour costs. The increasing input costs and the less resource abundance result in
high fishing cost, thus loss in fishing.
POVERTY IN THAI COASTAL FISHERIES
First to suffer from degraded fishery resources were coastal small scale fishermen.
Table 3 gives the cost and returns of small scale fisheries in 2000, for four main small scale fishing gears
(shrimp gill net, crab gill net, mullet gill net, and push net). On the average net return to small scale
fisheries was US$1,898/household/year. This was slightly above the poverty line i.e. being 7% above the
poverty line while it was only 74% of the average household income. By type of gear, the situation was
similar for gill nets, while push netters were better off.
Table 3 Cost and Return from Small Scale Fisheries, 2000
Item
Value of catches, sold
Costs of fishing
Hired labor
Fuel
Lubrication
Gear maintenance
Bait
Ice
Battery
Hull maintenance
Engine maintenance
Interest on loan
Others
Depreciation
Net return from
fishing
Total
cost,
return
3,249
1,351
212
550
37
125
26
30
15
97
69
7
20
165
1,898
%
100
16
41
3
9
2
2
1
7
5
1
2
12
(US$/household/year)
Shrimp gill net
cost,
return
%
3,109
1,254
198
465
38
154
6
25
12
95
72
5
15
171
100
16
37
3
12
0
2
1
8
6
0
1
14
1,855
Crab gill net
cost,
return
%
3,239
1,391
217
541
40
185
14
9
16
105
77
3
18
166
1,849
100
16
39
3
13
1
1
1
8
6
0
1
12
Mullet gill net
cost,
return
%
2,977
1,113
134
439
32
122
4
31
14
112
87
7
12
121
100
12
39
3
11
0
3
1
10
8
1
1
11
1,865
Push net
cost,
return
%
4,503
2,018
368
902
50
139
8
43
25
132
94
16
25
215
2,485
Source: Calculated from Additional Survey for Marine Fisheries Census 2000, National Statistical Office
In 2004 data were available for small otter board trawl and small push net. The net income of small otter
board trawl was US$1,449/household/year; being under the poverty line (25% lower) while it was only
7
100
18
45
3
7
0
2
1
7
5
1
1
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
34% of the average household income. These otter board trawlers were poor. For small push netters their
net income was 63% above the poverty line but still lower than the average household income being 73%
of the average household income in Thailand.
POVERTY ERADICATION IN THAI COASTAL FISHERIES
In spite of being one of the world top fish exporters, Thai fishery resources have been degraded. Shrimp
has been the most important source of fishery export earning; nevertheless there is a cost of
environmental impact which increases production cost. In response to degraded fishery resources in Thai
waters, part of commercial scale fisheries fish outside Thai waters while some has left fishing for better
income non-fishing occupations. Decreasing number of commercial fishing vessel in Thai waters is one
of the capacity reductions. However, recently small scale fishing vessels also increased, especially those
out board engine while in board engine small scale and commercial scale have been decreasing. Renewal
fishery resources abundance in Thai waters is a must while there is also a need on effective control on
fishing effort. In this section recommendation on renewal fishery resources to alleviate poverty among
Thai fishermen will be discussed for small scale fisheries and commercial fisheries.
Table 4 Cost and Return from Small Scale Fisheries, 2004
(US$/household/year)
Small otter board
trawl
Item
cost, return
Value of catches, sold
Costs of fishing
Hired labor
Fuel
Lubrication
Gear maintenance
Bait
Ice
Battery
Hull maintenance
Engine maintenance
Interest on loan
Others
Depreciation
Net return from fishing
31,609
30,160
4,325
16,108
477
958
0
664
0
2,221
651
0
3,734
1,023
1,449
%
Small push net
cost, return
14,075
10,949
1,803
6,269
206
629
0
169
0
483
227
0
650
513
3,126
100
14
53
2
3
0
2
0
7
2
0
12
3
%
100
16
57
2
6
0
2
0
4
2
0
6
5
Soucre: Ruangrai Tokrisna et al (2005)
Small scales fisheries
In 2000, 72% of small scale fishing vessels was out board engine vessels. Those less than 10 TG in board
engine shared 10% and tended to decrease due to low income. The small scale fishing vessels could be
found in more than 1,500 coastal fishing villages. Community-based fishery management (CBFM)
support by the government via co-management (CM) is recommended for fishery resource renewal for
small scale fisheries. Keys of success in adopting CBFM plus CM in coastal fishing villages are the
capacity of local fishery management organization and supporting legislative framework for effective
control. Recently government as well as non-government agencies have put the attempts on increasing
capacity for the local communities in coastal fishery management. Along the coastlines there are several
successful saving groups which can be adopted as the initial base for community organization. Coastal
communities realized the negative impact on fishery resource degradation, thus are more willing to
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
collaborate for better livelihoods. Distributing right on coastal fishery management to coastal
communities with government support on legislation and enforcement can enhance efficiency in coastal
fishery management.
Granting fishing right to coastal communities can be on specific period (e.g. 5 or 10 years). Community
fishery management organization apply for the right, which the approval will be upon local committee
consisting of fishermen representatives, fishery users, stakeholders’ representatives, academicians, and
persons in concern for fisheries, for example. The right can be monitored and adjust according to
behaviour in fishery resource management. The target is on renewal resource abundance for sustainable
utilization, in collaboration from coastal communities.
Steps on granting right should be as follows.
• Define the fishing ground in response of coastal community. The boundary should be
able to be effectively monitored by the communities, e.g. 3,000 m. from shoreline.
• Define the coastal community and the members who have access to the granted fishing
right.
• Define the fishing right and period of grant.
• Establish and strengthen coastal fishing organization in fishery management.
• Define collaboration between the communities and local government agencies and
national agencies. Stakeholders should be presented in collaborative agencies
Commercial fisheries
Number of registered fishing vessels, in board engine, in 2002 was 15,920 in total; 5,258 for less than 5
mt gross, 7,377 for 10 – 49 mt gross, and the rest 3,265 for larger than 50 mt gross. As reported by
Wicharn Sirichai-ekawat (1996), fishing vessel of 30 -50 mt gross mostly used to fish in Thai waters,
while larger vessels fished outside Thai waters. However due to resource degradation some 30-49 mt
gross vessels fished outside Thai waters. In 2001, about three thousand Thai vessels fished outside Thai
waters. Nevertheless there were about fifteen hundred fished in both Thai waters and outside and there
were more than two thousand vessels with the capacity to fish outside Thai wasters. Nearly seven
thousand fishing vessels of 30 mt gross up, about half of the total registered in board engine vessels could
be moved outside Thai waters. The reduction in capacity can be either through relocation and/or buy back
program. (Wicharn Sirichai-ekawat, 2001).
Thai government has put the effort on the capacity reduction targeting at the reduction of trawls and push
net through buy back program. Up till now there are still un-registered fishing vessels and some vessel
still fished both in and out side Thai waters which make difficult in effective control on the number of
fishing vessels and thus the fishing effort in Thai waters. Buy back program may not be effective in
capacity reduction. Effective control on number of vessels and their effort are necessary requirements for
the buy back program which incurs high cost of implementation. Collaboration from government as well
as non-government agencies, including the Association of Thai Fisheries and Association of Thai
Fisheries in non-Thai Fishing Grounds can enhance the chance of success.
Effective capacity reduction in Thai waters is expected to lead to renewal fishery resource abundance,
thus increase income especially among the coastal fisheries. At the same time effective coastal fishery
management via CBFM/Co-management could result in betterment among the coastal fisheries
communities.
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IIFET 2006 Portsmouth Proceedings
REFERENCES
Boonyubol, Muttana and Somsak Pramokchutima, 1982, Trawl Fisheries in the Gulf of Thailand, Report
on 2nd National Seminar in Marine Science, National Research Council, Bangkok. (In Thai)
Division of Marine Fisheries, 1985, Purse Seine Fisheries and Pelagic Resources Condition, Report on
Academic Seminar of Division of Marine Sceince and Division of Fishing Ground Survey, Department of
Fisheries, Bangkok. (In Thai)
Jullasorn, Somsak, 1981, Preliminary Study on Pelagic Resources Condition in the Gulf of Thailand,
Division of Marine Fisheries, Bangkok. (In Thai)
Supongpun, Mala, 1984, Squid Fisheries, Report on Academic Seminar of Division of Marine Sceince and
Division of Fishing Ground Survey, Department of Fisheries, Bangkok. (In Thai)
Sirichai-ekawat, Wicharn, 1996, Thai Fisheries Strategies,College of Kingdom Protection, Bangkok. (In
Thai)
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